Connect with us

BASKETBALL

Ex-Penn State basketball big man makes transfer portal decision

After only one season with Penn State basketball, ex-Nittany Lions and Miami Hurricanes big man Favour Aire has found his third program in as many years.

Published

5 months ago

on

Penn State basketball, Favour Aire, transfer portal
Feb 14, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Favour Aire (12) and guard/forward Puff Johnson (4) reach for the rebound during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan State defeated Penn State 80-72. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Three months after announcing his departure from the Penn State basketball program, ex-Nittany Lions big man Favour Aire has found a landing spot out of the transfer portal.

On Saturday, the former Penn State forward announced his commitment to Bryant University in Rhode Island via social media. The Bulldogs went 20-13 and finished second in the American East conference last season.

Favour Aire entered the transfer portal for the second time on March 18 after one season with Penn State basketball. He only appeared in 12 games during his sophomore season in Happy Valley, finishing the year with seven points, 12 rebounds, six blocks, and four steals.

Aire’s college career began at Miami, where he had nine points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals during the Hurricanes’ run to the Final Four in the 2022-23 season.

Originally from Ekpoma, Nigeria, Aire was a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and the 247Sports Composite coming out of Bishop McNamara in Maryland. A top 25 center in the 2022 class, On3 and 247Sports ranked Aire as a top 75 big man in his second stint in the transfer portal.

Dust settles on Penn State basketball transfer portal movement

With Saturday’s announcement from Favour Aire, all five outgoing members of the Penn State basketball program have now made commitments out of the transfer portal:

  • Kanye Clary (dismissed from program on February 19; entered transfer portal on March 18) – committed to Mississippi State on March 29.
  • Bragi Guðmundsson (March 18) – committed to Campbell on April 17.
  • Demetrius Lilley (March 20) – committed to La Salle on April 10.
  • Jameel Brown (March 22) – committed to Temple on April 26.

Mike Rhoades replenished the roster with talent from the transfer portal this spring, led by former top-50 recruit and ex-Tennessee Volunteer guard Freddie Dilione. 

Finishing with the No. 48-ranked portal class, according to 247Sports, the Nittany Lions also added big men Kachi Nzeh (Xavier) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Northern Illinois), as well as guard Eli Rice (Nebraska).

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation! Please follow us on all of our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube) and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. 

Related Topics:

Matt is a co-owner and Editor in Chief of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics, with over 3.5 million readers in 2023. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

Trending